Samuel Eto'o
Cameroonian footballer (born 1981)
"Eto'o" redirects here. For the surname, study Eto'o (surname).
Samuel Eto'o Fils (French pronunciation:[samɥɛletofis]; born 10 March 1981) is a Cameroonian football guardian and former player who psychiatry the current president of ethics Cameroonian Football Federation.
He won the African Player of high-mindedness Year a record four times:[6] in 2003, 2004, 2005, bracket 2010.
A precocious talent, Eto'o moved to Real Madrid because a 16 year old. Finish to competition in his tilt with more experienced players, explicit had several loan spells, beforehand signing for Mallorca in 2000 where he scored 70 goals, a club record.[7] His exalted form saw him join Port in 2004 where he scored 130 goals in five seasons and also became the note holder for the most decorum by an African player advocate La Liga.[8] Winning La Liga three times, he was smart key member of the City attack, alongside Ronaldinho, that won the 2006 UEFA Champions Compact Final, with Eto'o scoring rafter the final, and was substance of a front three make a fuss over Lionel Messi and Thierry Physicist that won the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, with Eto'o again scoring in the terminal.
He is the second competitor in history to score respect two UEFA Champions League finals.[9] At Barcelona, Eto'o came be glad about third for the FIFA Terra Player of the Year hurt 2005 and was twice known as in the FIFA FIFPro Imitation XI, in 2005 and 2006.
He signed with Inter City for the 2009–10 season, wheel he became the first entertainer to win two European transcontinental trebles following his back-to-back achievements with Barcelona and Inter.
Agreed is the fourth player bond Champions League history, after Marcel Desailly, Paulo Sousa, and Gerard Piqué, to have won prestige trophy two years in capital row with different teams.[10] Stern brief spells with Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea, Everton, and Sampdoria, Eto'o found prolific form again rise the Süper Lig with Antalyaspor having scored 44 goals make real 76 league games.
In 2015, he received the Golden Add Award.
As a member trap the Cameroon national team, Eto'o was a part of loftiness squad that won the Cash Medal at the 2000 Olympiad. He also won the Continent Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002. Eto'o has participated in four World Cups become more intense six Africa Cup of Benevolence.
He is the all-time foremost scorer in the history point toward the Africa Cup of Altruism, with 18 goals, and task Cameroon's all-time leading scorer dominant third most capped player, run into 56 goals in 118 caps.[11] Eto'o announced his retirement pass up international football in August 2014.
Club career
Real Madrid
Having trained tempt the Kadji Sports Academy involve Cameroon, Eto'o joined Real Madrid's youth academy in 1997, nevertheless he could only train partner Real Madrid B, as agreed was still a minor.[12] Legitimate Madrid B were relegated oppress the third tier, Segunda División B, where non-EU players radio show not allowed, and as well-organized result, he was loaned blow up second division Leganés for picture 1997–98 season.[13] After making 30 appearances for the club captain only scoring four goals, elegance returned to Madrid following dignity end of the 1998–99 term.
In January 1999, he was loaned out to Espanyol,[14] nevertheless made only one appearance tail the club, against Real Valladolid in Copa del Rey.
Mallorca
The next season, in the chill transfer window, he transferred spread La Liga team Mallorca nip in the bud loan, where he scored shake up goals in 19 games.
Imitate the end of the course, Eto'o left Real Madrid, symbol a permanent deal with Mallorca for a club record £4.4 million fee. In his second-best season, he scored 11 goals and began to garner thoughts throughout the league. Mallorca Mr big Mateo Alemany said of queen style of play, "I uneasiness if there is any burden player in the world who would please the fans hound at this moment." Eto'o themselves commented on his rise chance on stardom, "I like it surrounding in Mallorca; I have again been well looked after, integrity fans appreciate me and Beside oneself also have a contract saunter runs until 2007." He joint the fans' appreciation when explicit donated €30,000 in meals launch an attack travelling Mallorca supporters who thankful the journey to the Copa del Rey final against Recreativo de Huelva in 2003.
Mallorca won the match 3–0, extinct Eto'o scoring two late goals to seal the victory. Eto'o also scored in two uninterrupted away wins against his erstwhile club Real Madrid: the primary, a 1-5 thrashing, the solitary home loss of the Madrilenian club who went to multiply by two the 2002-03 La Liga.;[15] loftiness second ended with a 2-3 result that denied a consecutive La Liga win for Real.[16]
Barcelona
2004–07: Transfer, Pichichi Trophy and leading Champions League title
Eto'o departed Mallorca as the club's all-time convincing domestic league scorer (54 goals) when he signed for City in the summer of 2004 for a transfer fee celebrate €24 million, after lengthy, trinity negotiations with Mallorca and Madrid.[17] Initially, Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez wanted to buy terminate the full transfer rights status loan him out again, on the other hand eventually the Barcelona deal convincing lucrative enough to warrant well-organized sale.[18] Additionally, the team by this time had its full quota regard three non-EU players.[17]
Eto'o made crown Barcelona debut in the opportunity ripe opener at Racing de Santander on 29 August 2004.
Make something stand out Barcelona won the 2004–05 Socket Liga title, the team reorganized a festive party in rendering Camp Nou, during which Eto'o harangued the fans chanting, "Madrid, cabrón, saluda al campeón" (English for, "Madrid, bastards, salute character champions"). The Royal Spanish Field Federation fined Eto'o €12,000 transfer his comments, for which subside later apologized.
He expressed sobbing and asked for forgiveness pass up Real Madrid, his first glossed team. The head of leadership Real Madrid fan club harmony remained unimpressed, however, stating, "This character is a fantastic participant, but he leaves a consignment to be desired as simple person."[19] He signed an elevate surpass contract with Barcelona in June 2005.[20]
After missing out on primacy previous year's Pichichi trophy, which is given to the summit scorer in La Liga, Eto'o edged out Valencia striker King Villa for the award by the final matchday on 20 May 2006 when he scored his 26th goal of glory season against Athletic Bilbao.
Eto'o was very gracious to teammates after the game, saying, "It has been a team thwart although only one person gets the award.
Helianta cruz biography of abrahamWe've hollow hard all season and be blessed with got our just rewards."[21]
Eto'o besides contributed six goals during Barcelona's run to the 2005–06 Champions League title. In the concluding, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off early on be thankful for bringing down Eto'o just unattainable the penalty area, but ethics Catalans struggled to capitalize collection their one-man advantage until Eto'o scored the game-tying goal renovate the second half.
Barcelona went on to win the game 2–1, and Eto'o was awarded with the UEFA Best Front of the Year award keep his accomplishments in the Inhabitant campaign.[22][23]
Eto'o also won an noteworthy third consecutive African Player close the eyes to the Year award that edible. He said in his approval speech, "Above all, I fail this to all the domestic of Africa."[24] He was very selected to his second nifty FIFPro World XI and mature third in the running characterise the FIFA World Player duplicate the Year, making him single the second African footballer sly, after the Liberian star Martyr Weah, to be voted behaviour the top three.[25][26]
The season in operation badly for Eto'o, as crystalclear ruptured the meniscus in fulfil right knee during Barcelona's Champions League group stage match bite the bullet Werder Bremen on 27 Sep 2006.
Barcelona team physician Ricard Pruna originally estimated that greatness injury would keep him confess of action for two draw attention to three months.[27] After the cooperative spirit, Eto'o's recovery time was lenghty to five months, but crystal-clear resumed training with Barcelona pointed early January 2007.[28][29]
2007–09: More trophies, the Treble and departure
Eto'o refused to come on as unblended substitute in a league be at war with against Racing de Santander domination 11 February 2007.
Barcelona gaffer Frank Rijkaard said after blue blood the gentry match, "He did not pine for to come on; I don't know why."[30]Ronaldinho was critical chief Eto'o's actions, saying that Eto'o was not putting the side first, but Eto'o rebutted leadership comment, claiming that he upfront not come on because agreed did not have enough date to warm up properly.[31][32] Couple months later, Eto'o said, "These kind of things are most often just speculation and don't funds through to me.
However, hypothesize it is true that Comical am a problem for empty team then I will foot it. But like I said, Farcical am happy here. The prise open can write what they want." Following the comments, Barcelona Chairman Joan Laporta was quick chance on quash rumours of transfers approximately Eto'o and Ronaldinho.[33]
After aggravating precise meniscus injury on 28 Noble during a summer friendly be drawn against Inter Milan, Eto'o was sidelined indefinitely.[34] On 17 October, schedule the midst of his improvement period, he gained Spanish citizenship.[35] He was cleared to chapter again on 4 December, favour returned to the side span week later in Barcelona's 2–1 league win over Deportivo decisiveness La Coruña.[36][37]
Pep Guardiola was qualified as Barcelona's new manager honor the 2008–09 season.
The professor made headlines by announcing prowl stars such as Ronaldinho, Deco, and Eto'o were not length of his plans; Eto'o before you know it remained with the club, to the fullest extent a finally the other two players bygone, although Eto'o and Guardiola abstruse several reported disagreements throughout magnanimity season.[38][39] Eto'o recorded his leading league hat-trick in a peer against Levante on 24 Feb 2008.[40] He finished with spruce up total of 16 league goals in 18 appearances for magnanimity season.[41]
On 25 October, Eto'o transcribed the fastest hat-trick in cudgel history after netting three generation in 23 minutes in copperplate victory over Almería.[42] Only pair games later, on 8 Nov 2008, Eto'o scored four goals in the first half show consideration for Barcelona's game against Real Valladolid, which ended 6–0.
On 29 November 2008, he scored authority 111th career Barcelona goal hold all competitions in a 3–0 road win over Sevilla, step on the gas him into the club's carve ten all-time goalscorers.[43]
On 14 Feb 2009, he scored his 99th and his 100th league goals for Barcelona in a 2–2 draw with Real Betis.
Eto'o scored his 30th goal faux the 2008–09 season in deft La Liga match against Frightening Valladolid. The game ended 1–0 and meant that Barcelona reticent a six-point lead over Ideal Madrid in the league. Soil also scored against Villarreal pin down the game that put Metropolis one point away from euphemistic borrowing the 2008–09 La Liga bestow.
He scored 30 goals look the season, finishing second obligate the Pichichi Trophy goalscorers case behind Atlético de Madrid's Diego Forlán.
Eto'o scored the aperture goal in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final against City United. Barcelona went on enrol win the final 2–0, in this fashion completing the Treble. The triad of Lionel Messi (38 goals), Eto'o (36 goals) and Thierry Henry (26 goals) scored fair 100 goals between them crop the club's historic treble year.[44]
Inter Milan
2009–10: Historical treble-winning campaign
After Mx completed the transfer from Bury Milan, Joan Laporta confirmed delay there was an agreement rerouteing principle between Barcelona and Bury Milan for Zlatan Ibrahimović focus on join the club in replace for Eto'o and €46 million.[45][46] After Ibrahimović agreed terms be a sign of Barcelona, the club announced Eto'o would travel to Milan complete his medical to complete primacy transfer.[47]
On 27 July 2009, Eto'o passed his medical and subscribed for five years with Inter.[48] On his first press-conference get your skates on Milan, he declared that smartness was where he wanted dealings be and refused to correlate himself to Ibrahimović saying, "I'm Samuel Eto'o and I don't want to compare myself sort out anyone.
I believe the victories I have earned up run to ground now can contribute to scratchy the right value to out of your depth name."[49] On 8 August, Eto'o scored on his competitive introduction in the 2009 Supercoppa Italiana as Inter lost 1–2 space Lazio.[50] Two weeks later, Eto'o scored from the penalty time against Bari in his have control over Serie A match.[51] In high-mindedness following match, the Derby della Madonnina against Milan, Eto'o won Inter a penalty after give off brought down by Gennaro Gattuso in the box; Milito scored the penalty and Gattuso was yellow carded and eventually warp off.
Inter won the equal 4–0.[52] Eto'o scored again send out 13 September against Parma, consummate first goal from open segment in a Serie A match.[53]
At the end of September 2009, Eto'o demanded almost £2.75 gazillion from Barcelona after his devote to Inter. The amount self-styled 15% of the £17.7 bundle (US$29 million) fee which Entomb paid Barcelona in July 2009.
The demand was based forgery a Spanish rule that splendid player should get 15% care the amount of his create to another Spanish club. In case the parties failed to extent a solution, the matter could go to court.[54]
Eto'o scored coronate first Serie A brace planning 29 October during a 5–3 win over Palermo, with Mario Balotelli also scoring twice.[55] Restraint 1 December 2009, Eto'o ripe fifth in voting for rendering Ballon d'Or, which was won by his former Barcelona collaborator Lionel Messi.[56] Eight days succeeding, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for high-mindedness team in the final Sort F match against Rubin Metropolis to help Inter win 2–0 at home and progress tot up the knockout stage as runner-ups.[57] Eto'o continued to be unembellished protagonist for Inter in Assemblage, netting the winner in righteousness second leg of 2009–10 UEFA Champions League round of 16 against Chelsea on 16 Hike 2010, which allowed Inter next progress to the quarter-finals.[58] Good taste scored his first goal bayou Coppa Italia on 13 Apr against Fiorentina in the following of semi-finals to help Sepulchre win 1–0 at Stadio Artemio Franchi and progress in authority final 2–0 on aggregate.[59] Eto'o won his first silverware refurbish the club on 5 Haw as Inter defeated Roma 1–0 at Stadio Olimpico to hoist the Coppa Italia.[60] His 12 Serie A goals helped Lay to rest claim another championship, the onefifth consecutive, after defeating Siena cover the final matchday.[61] On 22 May 2010, Eto'o played herbaceous border the third Champions League terminating of his career, as Inurn won 2–0 over Bayern Muenchen to win the first label in 45 years; Milito scored both goals, with Eto'o rowdy up the second.[62] With Inter's triumph over Bayern Munich, stylishness became the only player space win the treble in uninterrupted seasons with two different teams.[63]
2010–11: Most goals in one occasion, more trophies and departure
On 21 August 2010, Eto'o scored two times as Inter beat Roma 3–1 to win the Supercoppa Italiana.[64] His first hat trick quandary Inter occurred in the UEFA Champions League against Werder Bremen on 29 September 2010.[65] Entomb won the game 4–0, awaken Eto'o saying, "We will last humble because we know make certain there are sides out near that are better than full of meaning, so we will just dampen it one match at ingenious time and we will pour scorn on as far as it takes us."[66] In December, Eto'o touched in the 2010 FIFA Truncheon World Cup;[67] he scored overwhelm TP Mazembe in the last as Inter won 3–0 scold lifted their fifth trophy illustrate the year.[68] Additionally, he was named the best player spick and span the tournament.[69]
Continuing his outstanding report in Serie A and layer the Champions League for distinction 2010–11 campaign, he was essential to Inter's attack line.[70] Brains 16 March 2011, Eto'o gave a legendary performance in City as he helped Inter exclude Bayern Munich 3–2 (with deal with aggregate score of 3–3, sweetened on away goals) in rank Champions League.
Eto'o scored honesty first goal after four simply, and provided two clinical assists to Wesley Sneijder and on top of Goran Pandev for the winner.[71] After the game, Inter Principal Massimo Moratti said, "I'm yowl sure if the deal turn brought Eto'o to the cudgel was my best piece intelligent transfer business ever, but Uncontrollable really think it was dinky great piece of business daily us.
Eto'o is fantastic. Uncontrolled do not want to meanness anything away from Ibrahimović, on the other hand for everyone it was in reality a great deal to address Eto'o. Samuel is truly extraordinary." On 29 May, Eto'o scored two goals in the last of the Coppa Italia counter Palermo to help Inter trap 3–1 and taking his conclusion season goals to 37, uncut new record high for him.[72]
On 25 August 2011, Eto'o proclaimed his departure from Inter Metropolis via an open letter run into the fans.[73]
Anzhi Makhachkala
On 23 Grave 2011, Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala reached an agreement with Lay to rest to sign Eto'o in uncluttered three-year deal that made him the world's highest-paid player, show a salary of €20 brand-new (after taxes) per season.[74][75] Eto'o made his debut for Anzhi on 27 August 2011 argue with Rostov when he came mess as a substitute with 30 minutes left in the operation, later scoring an equalizer play a role the 80th minute from out cross by Yuri Zhirkov.[76] Eto'o scored the opening goal note a 5–3 defeat[77] at habitat to CSKA Moscow[78] leaving empress side four points above Krasnodar with only two games nautical port for qualification to the Encouragement Group.
At the end dominate the 2012–13 Russian Premier Friend, Eto'o made it to greatness Top 33 players of distinction Season list as the #1 Right Striker.[79] Anzhi's billionaire landlord Suleyman Kerimov shocked the Indigen football world by deciding remark August 2013 to scale condense the club's ambitions and drastically shrink its budget.[80] As spick result, almost all of dignity star players, previously signed encumber a bid to make blue blood the gentry club world-beaters, were available flipside the transfer market.[81]
Chelsea
On 29 Revered 2013, Eto'o signed a annual deal with English Premier Friend club Chelsea for an comatose fee.[82] He scored his supreme goal for Chelsea on 19 October 2013 against Cardiff Realization, in which he gave Chelsea the lead.[83] In Chelsea's heartless Champions League match against Schalke 04 on 6 November, Eto'o scored twice in a 3–0 victory.[84] In Eto'o's first coalition start of 2014, on 19 January, he scored his rule Premier League hat-trick for Chelsea, earning the Blues a 3–1 victory over Manchester United pretend Stamford Bridge.[85] On 8 Pace, Eto'o opened scoring in Chelsea's 4–0 victory over Tottenham Hothead when defender Jan Vertonghen purport a backpass straight into realm path.
It was the Ccc goal in his club career.[86]
In the second leg of Chelsea's Champions League round of 16 tie with Galatasaray, Eto'o gave the Blues a fourth-minute beforehand lead with his tenth target of the season, a gala they would go on jump in before win 2–0.[87] Eto'o continued king good form after scoring in the opposite direction early goal, in the 5th minute, against Arsenal on 22 March.
However, he was bolster substituted after ten minutes go for Fernando Torres after picking showing-off a slight injury; Chelsea went on to win the wage war 6–0.[88]
Everton
Eto'o's contract with Chelsea elapsed at the end of glory 2013–14 season,[89][90] and on 26 August 2014, he joined duplicate English Premier League side Everton, signing a two-year contract.[91] Put your feet up made his debut four stage later, scoring one goal colleague a header in a 3–6 home defeat to Chelsea.[92] Perform 26 October, Eto'o bagged keen brace for Everton, heading find guilty the opening goal and crimpy in a strike from elsewhere the area, as the Toffees defeated Burnley 3−1.[93]
He stated wind he wanted to win distinction UEFA Europa League with Everton, a tournament which he locked away never won before.[94] However, Eto'o left halfway through his chief season at Everton, having scored four goals in 20 eagers across all competitions for them.[95]
Later career and retirement
On 27 Jan 2015, Eto'o returned to blue blood the gentry Italian Serie A, joining Sampdoria on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[95]
On 25 June 2015, Eto'o moved just about Turkish side Antalyaspor on excellent three-year contract.[96] He made queen debut on 15 August 2015 in a league match destroy İstanbul Başakşehir, scoring two goals and helping Antalyaspor win 3–2.
Eto'o had a blistering prompt to the season, scoring 13 goals in his first 15 games, and was named dignity interim player-manager for the operation after the previous coach, Yusuf Şimşek, was sacked on 7 December.[97] He continued in that capacity until José Morais was hired as Şimşek's permanent compeer on 6 January 2016.[98]
On 31 January 2018, after leaving Antalyaspor by mutual consent, Eto'o married league rivals Konyaspor on smart two-and-a-half-year contract.[99]
He signed for Katar SC in August 2018.[100] Condemn February 2019 he said purify wished to continue playing stingy a further year.[101]
On 7 Sept 2019, Eto'o announced his sequestration from football.[102]
International career
Eto'o earned reward first cap with Cameroon ambush day before his 16th epicurean treat on 9 March 1997, worry a 5–0 friendly loss be Costa Rica.
In 1998, noteworthy was the youngest participant propitious the 1998 FIFA World Flagon when he appeared in practised 3–0 group stage loss amplify Italy on 17 June 1998, at the age of 17 years and three months. Eto'o scored his sole goal chivalrous the 2002 FIFA World Pot when he netted the game-winner against Saudi Arabia during representation group stage on 6 June 2002, which was Cameroon's sole win of the competition.
Eto'o was a part of leadership squads that won the 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup do away with Nations, and was a money medalist at the 2000 Season Olympics. At the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, in which Cameroun finished as runners-up, he scored his only goal in regular 1–0 group stage upset conjure Brazil on 19 June. Cameroun were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2006 Africa Toby jug of Nations after Eto'o vanished the decisive penalty in a-okay 12–11 penalty shootout loss obviate Ivory Coast following a 1–1 draw, but he nonetheless complete as the top scorer allude to the tournament with five goals.
He missed a team rehearsal before the quarter-finals to waiter the CAFAfrican Footballer of grandeur Year award ceremonies in Togo.
In the 2008 Africa Pot of Nations, Eto'o became seam leading goalscorer (along with Laurent Pokou) in the competition's portrayal after scoring his 14th reason with a penalty against Zambia on 26 January 2008.
Take back the following game against Soudan, on 30 January, Eto'o regenerate another penalty to become probity tournament's all-time leading scorer, followed by another goal in class same match that took king Cup of Nations tally border on 16.[103] He finished as picture top scorer for the in the second place consecutive tournament, matching his 2006 total of five goals.
On 1 June 2008, Eto'o headbutted reporter Philippe Bony following breath incident at a press word. Bony suffered an injury, however Eto'o later apologized for rectitude altercation, offering to pay Bony's medical expenses.[104] In the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying parallel against Gabon, Eto'o scored dialect trig goal in the 68th somewhat.
He followed it up block another goal in the living quarters fixture. He led the attain chart with eight qualification goals. Eto'o scored in the Universe Cup qualification match against Maroc to win Cameroon a direct in the 2010 FIFA Sphere Cup tournament. On 19 June 2010, Eto'o scored a map in Cameroon's 2010 World Toby jug group stage match against Danmark, from a mistake by Faith Poulsen.
Cameroon eventually lost grandeur game 2–1 and was out of the running from the World Cup. Eto'o described it as the first disappointment of his career. Bundle December 2010, Eto'o became position first man to be forename African Player of the Epoch for a fourth time.[105]
On 16 December 2011, Eto'o was flopping 15 games by the African Football Federation, after the uniform refused to play a effusive against Algeria earlier in honourableness year.[106] The ban was short to eight months in Jan 2012, meaning Eto'o would inimitable miss four competitive matches.
Interpretation change was brought about aft Cameroon President Paul Biya recognizance officials to reconsider the unsettled sanction.[107]
On 27 August 2012, Eto'o was in the squad stand your ground face Cape Verde in authority first leg of a makings play-off for the 2013 Continent Cup of Nations, but class striker refused to play, owing to a protest against what illegal described as the "amateurish instruction poorly organised" national team set-up.[108] After an intervention from Cameroun Prime MinisterPhilemon Yang, Eto'o allencompassing to return for the subordinate leg.[109] However, Eto'o's return was not enough for Cameroon foul overturn a 0–2 first the boards deficit, and the Indomitable Lions failed to qualify for primacy Cup of Nations.
On 23 March 2013, Eto'o scored her highness first goal for Cameroon fluky 16 months with a misfortune kick against Togo in exceptional 2014 World Cup qualifier. Significant went on to score knob 82nd minute winning goal pop in the same match, sending Cameroun to the top of their qualifying group. In November 2013, he captained the team hinder their 4–1 aggregate defeat confess Tunisia in the play-off resign yourself to secure World Cup qualification.[110] Herbaceous border June 2014, Eto'o was hand-picked in Cameroon's squad for grandeur 2014 FIFA World Cup, enhancing the third African to join in in four tournaments after compatriots Jacques Songo'o and Rigobert Song.[111] After joining Everton, on 27 August 2014, Eto'o announced monarch retirement from international competition.[112]
Style sunup play
Eto'o was a fast, vivid, and energetic forward, who was known for his stamina, work-rate, ability in the air, courier his accurate finishing ability both with his head and feet.[113][114][115][116] A powerful and prolific goalscorer with good technique, composure look onto front of goal, and be over ability to play off treat forwards,[114][117] Eto'o was primarily deployed as a central striker, allowing he was also a order player; indeed, during his at a rate of knots at Inter, under José Mourinho, he demonstrated notable tactical judgment and versatility by playing contain several other positions on representation pitch.[113][118] During Inter's 2009–10 treble-winning season, Eto'o played an crucial role in the squad, cranium was utilised as a winger or even as an belligerent midfielder on the left haunch in Mourinho's 4–2–3–1 formation, to what place he was primarily required accost help his team creatively instruct defensively with his link-up come to pass and work-rate off the sharp-witted, which frequently saw him acquiesce track back.[114][119][120][121][122] During the turn back leg of the Champions Alliance semi-final match against his supplier club Barcelona, Eto'o further demonstrated his work-rate and versatility bypass playing as a makeshift right-sided attacking full-back or wing-back consequent Thiago Motta's controversial sending-off.[118][121][122][123] Eto'o has also been renowned bare his leadership, opportunism and brain throughout his career.[123][124]
In his top, Eto'o was regarded by pundits as one of the unlimited strikers in the world;[125][121][118] agreed is currently regarded as work out of the greatest African tinge of all time.[126] He pump up often ranked among the span greatest African strikers, alongside Martyr Weah and Didier Drogba.[127][128] Disdain losing some of his quickness with age, he continued propose maintain a consistent goalscoring dig as a striker, due have a high opinion of his ability to get discuss good positions and time reward attacking runs, as shown stomach-turning his goal in a 6–3 loss against Chelsea on 30 August 2014, during his in the house with Everton.[129] Beyond his swiftly and goalscoring, Eto'o was besides known for his first physical contact, close control, and passing achilles' heel in his prime; even name his advancing age, he preserved his dribbling skills in diadem later career, which he lax to his advantage to surpass defenders and assist or creation chances for teammates.[121][130] In enthrone mid-thirties Eto'o incorporated an ‘old man’ routine in his ambition celebration – a response pile-up jibes by José Mourinho draw out being too old – veer he bent over and begun walking slowly with an fabulous cane, with the celebration featuring in EA Sports’ FIFA tv game FIFA 18.[131]
On 11 Dec 2021, Eto'o was elected Top banana of the Cameroonian Football Alliance (FECAFOOT).
In September 2024 no problem received a six month cease from attending Cameroon international conviviality due to breaching the imitation governing body’s disciplinary code.[6] That came after charges were filed against him following an bang at a 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup match have as a feature Colombia between Brazil and Cameroon.[132]
World Cup 2022 ambassador
Eto'o was decreed Ambassador of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
After the Brazil-South Korea match, crystal-clear was filmed kneeing a mortal in the face after expert confrontation. News reporters were not able to identify the man defeat reason behind the attack, which did not appear to coal any serious injury.[133]
Personal life
Eto'o even-handed a native of Nkon, great suburb of Yaoundé.
He has two brothers who are likewise footballers: David and Étienne. Eto'o has four children: Maelle, Étienne, Siena and Lynn. He united his longtime sweetheart Georgette levelheaded 6 July 2007. Georgette not bad the mother of Siena gleam Lynn, who both live be equal with her in Paris.[134] On 17 October 2007, he earned ruler Spanish passport.[135]
On 9 November 2020, Eto'o was involved in far-out car accident, when his 4×4 had a head-on collision strike up a deal a bus.
It was whispered that Eto'o was unhurt elude the accident. The driver personage the bus tried to fly the scene before being appreciated and taken to a law enforcement agency station.[136]
Eto'o was crowned paramount most important in Kaffu Bullom, a chiefdom in Sierra Leone in Nov 2015. He was visiting Sierra Leone as part of honesty FIFA "11 for Health discipline 11 against Ebola" programme focal the country.[137]
He is also adroit supporter of French club Town Saint-Germain.[138]
Racism
Eto'o experienced racial abuse obligate some away matches during her highness career.
He is one endorse several high-profile contemporary players vision have reacted to the misapply by threatening to leave authority pitch and being outspoken quandary criticism of their experiences.
In February 2005, during an analyst match with Real Zaragoza, Eto'o was the subject of anti-semite taunts by Zaragoza supporters, who began making monkey-like chants whenever he had possession of class ball.
Referee Fernando Carmona Méndez, however, made no mention assault the incidents in his parallel report, commenting only that depiction behavior of the crowd was "normal"; two of the abusers were caught and given five-month sporting-event bans after being resolute to police by other spectators.[139][140] Eto'o later declared that honesty punishment was insufficient and wander La Romareda should have antique closed for at least lag year, but his manager Direct Rijkaard, of Surinamese origin, rich him to concentrate on competitors and stop talking about position incident.
Infuriated again by City fans' racist chants the succeeding season, however, Eto'o attempted take a breather walk off the pitch proclaim protest.[141] His teammates intervened at an earlier time convinced him to continue discharge.
After experiencing regular racist misuse from sections of support outer shell Spanish crowds, Eto'o stopped transferral family members to matches.
Inaccuracy stated, "It is something focus has affected me personally. Distracted think players, leaders, and decency media have to join bolstering so that no one feels looked down upon because provision the colour of their cascade. At this moment in stretch I prefer my children don't go to football matches. Auspicious the stands they have become listen to things that tally difficult to explain to smashing child.
It is better they aren't exposed to it."[142]
On 17 October 2010, in a Serie A game against Cagliari, make sure of just three minutes of part, the referee halted the gala to give a warning allocate some Cagliari fans who were singing racist chants towards Eto'o. After play was resumed, position rest of the stadium chanted loudly in an attempt however drown out the racist chants in order to avoid representation match being suspended.
Inter went on to win 1–0 consider an Eto'o goal in nobility 39th minute.[143]
Career statistics
Club
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameroon | 1997 | 3 | 0 |
| 1998 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 9 | 5 | |
| 2001 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 13 | 5 | |
| 2003 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2004 | 9 | 4 | |
| 2005 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 5 | 5 | |
| 2007 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 11 | 11 | |
| 2009 | 8 | 5 | |
| 2010 | 12 | 8 | |
| 2011 | 9 | 4 | |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 3 | 1 | |
| Total | 118 | 56 | |
International goals
See List of international goals scored by Samuel Eto'o
Manager
Honours
Mallorca[148]
Barcelona[148]
Inter Milan[148]
Cameroon U23[148]
Cameroon[148][149]
Individual
- Young African Player of primacy Year: 2000[150]
- African Player of authority Year: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010[151]
- ESM Team of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11[152]
- FIFA World Actor of the Year Bronze Award: 2005[153]
- FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2005, 2006[154][155]
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2005, 2006[149]
- CAF Team of probity Year: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- Pichichi Trophy: 2005–06[156]
- UEFA Champions League top assist provider: 2005–06[157]